What face mapping can reveal about your health

Chinese medicine believes that what's going on in your body shows up on your face.

According to this tenet of Chinese medicine, your ailments are written all over your face.
(Photo: Vladislav Kravchenko/Shutterstock)

The expression “It’s written all over your face,” is taken literally in Chinese medicine and ayurvedic teachings. According to these ancient medicinal values, face mapping can reveal vital information about overall health. Although not backed by scientific research, face mapping associates areas of the skin with particular underlying conditions.

Chinese medicine and ayurvedic teachings

Chinese medicine and ayurvedic teachings view the body as a whole, instead of many different pieces. Followers of the practice believe that organs and bodily fluids work together in harmony to sustain a healthy individual. These teachings go back as far as 2500 B.C., and continue to be taught by many today.

The basic belief is this: When one organ is not functioning at full capacity, the rest suffer and show signs of distress. For example, if a person experiences breakouts between
the eyes, they may be a symptom of a liver problem. Stress on the body is not limited to physical ailments, but also spiritual and mental health imbalances.

What is Chinese face mapping?

Chinese face mapping can be described as the roadmap to your health. Points — or areas of concern — on your face are connected to organs in your body. Points may include wrinkles or
blemishes. Lines in the skin may represent long-term stress on the body, while breakouts may indicate short-term stress. The belief is that by treating the internal organ’s stress, the external body will show healthy, clear skin. Below is a breakdown of the areas of the face where a breakout may happen and the organ to which it is linked, plus recommended treatments for the underlying cause.

The forehead is linked to the bladder (from the upper forehead) and the intestines (lower forehead). Treatments might include:

Increase water consumption to flush out toxins

Increase fiber in diet

Keep a food journal to link breakouts caused by certain foods

Wash face with organic soap infused with green tea

The eyebrows are linked to the kidneys and adrenal glands and treatments could include:

Avoid alcohol

No smoking

Maintain a healthy sleep schedule

The eyes (and the space in-between the eyes) are linked to the liver and treatments can include:

The space under the eyes is linked to the kidneys and treatments might include:

If eyes are puffy, there is possible fluid retention

Darker under-eyes indicate a need for an increase in water consumption

The nose is linked to the lung and treatments can include:

Check with your doctor if you have asthma, bronchitis or allergies

Cut back on spicy food

The cheeks are also linked to the lungs and treatments might include:

If issue is the right cheeck: aerobic and breathing exercises early in the morning, cut back on sugar intake

If it's the left cheeck: avoid strenuous work around 5 p.m., increase “cool foods” such as melons and cucumbers

Wash face with an organic calendula soap

The mouth is linked to the stomach and large intestine. Treatments can include:

Avoid spicy foods, wines, fried foods and sugary treats

Increase fruits, vegetables and fiber

The chin is linked to the reproductive organs (hormones) and treatments can include:

Check hormone levels with a physician

Drink spearmint tea

Take omega-3 supplements

Decrease stress

Audrey Lefebvre R.N. specializes in Integrative Medicine, incorporating traditional and holistic care. Audrey holds over five years of experience in direct patient
care and four years in holistic practice. Audrey loves writing about natural and organic topics; including natural skincare regimens and alternative ways to improve our lifestyle.